ToT - Ch. 1 Spring Forth: Part 7

Serendipity. That was the only way to explain how the two siblings were able to find each other again.

Stella had intended to return to the heart of Tabira, to the base of the Great Tree. However, thanks to the plusle’s great sense of direction, she had somehow ended up going in the complete opposite direction. Stella had reasoned that as long as she could see the Tree in the distance, she must be heading the right way…not at all taking into account that the emerald giant was still visible even from miles away in any given direction.

Stefan had realized after leaving the Scholar labs that he had neglected to establish a meet-up location with his sister (though he blamed that on Stella storming off) and therefore had no way of knowing for certain where she was now. So, he had gone to the first logical place she would have been attracted to: the Trackers training grounds. After a lot of asking around, he found that Stella had been there earlier to train, but he had just missed her. She was last seen heading deeper into the surrounding forests. Given past experience with Stella’s tendency to get lost, Stefan headed in the same direction, already feeling a stress headache coming on.

It was another hour before the two electric types literally ran into each other.

“Hey! Watch where you’re-” Stella yelled angrily, holding one hand to her now aching forehead, before she recognized the minun in a red vest and glasses, also on the ground holding his forehead, “…Stefan?”

“Perhaps you should watch where you are going, especially when running at such a fast pace,” he muttered as he adjusted his glasses, “Furthermore-” Stefan didn’t get a chance to continue before his sister suddenly grabbed his arm and yanked him to his feet.

“I’m so glad I found you! I felt like I was just going in circles and that I would be stuck in this stupid forest forever and that I would never see you again and…” Stefan rambled in a frantic, fast pace before she suddenly stopped as she remembered that she was supposed to be angry at her brother from this morning, “I mean…I didn’t miss you at all! It’s lucky for you that I found you before you got lost. A nerd wouldn’t know anything about surviving out here.”

Stefan rolled his eyes before replying in a sarcastic tone, “Yes, because there is no way the great Tracker Stella would have ever gotten herself lost.” Stella folded her arms and turned her back on her brother.

“Well, I didn’t! I’ve had a very good day without you actually! I went to the Trackers training grounds and the Trackers’ trainer believed I had real potential as a fighter…unlike someone,” she shot back hotly. Stefan sent a half-lidded glare at his sister’s back.

“Since I didn’t need to babysit you, I had a very productive day as well! I went to the Scholars labs and not only helped them to clean and organize their facilities but also provided essential data to a scientific study…something someone could never understand the importance of,” he said in an annoyed tone.

“If we’re so good apart, genius, tell me why did we even form this dumb team in the first place?!” Stella demanded as she rounded on Stefan, her sapphire eyes ablaze. Stefan didn’t get a chance to answer as the bushes to their left rustled before a braixen wearing a wide brimmed hat, dark gloves, and a belt leapt out.

“Ho, travelers! I am the great Xavier and I-”

“Uh, hello? We’re kinda in the middle of something here!” Stella interrupted the posh fox’s speech, gesturing between herself and her brother. The braixen huffed in annoyance before trying again.

“I am the great Xavier and I challenge-”

“Really, sir. This isn’t the best time. We’re not looking to take up any tasks right now,” Stefan interrupted with a bit more polite and understanding tone before turning back to Stella, “Now, as I was about to say-”

“ENOUGH!” Xavier roared, pulling out his wand and sending a plume of flame between the two electric bunnies to get their attention, “I. Am. Xavier! I. Challenge. Thee. To. A. Duel!” he growled angrily, punctuating every word sharply with an irritated huff. Finally, Stefan and Stella turned to the braixen.

“Are you sure that’s wise? You look like you’ve already been through a duel,” Stefan noted as he eyed the fox. The fire type looked worse for wear with several small bumps and bruises on his body which were only just beginning to heal. Stella just stared at Xavier dubiously before her eyes suddenly grew wide.

“Wait! I’ve seen your face before on a Wanted poster at the Trackers guild! You’re a bandit!” she gasped. Xavier feigned a look of deep hurt.

“Me? A bandit? Never!” he insisted, “I am merely a gentleman who enjoys engaging in tests of strength and skill to prove my honor…and one cannot duel without a proper opponent.” Stella was the one to rolled her eyes this time.

“Fine, whatever. I’ll duel ya. I never back down from a fight!” she said with a smirk. Xavier, however, stuck up his nose and walked right past her, ignoring her speech.

“I would never trade fisticuffs with a mangy ruffian like you,” he sniffed before turning his sights on Stefan, “You look like a distinguished gentleman. I challenge thee, good sir, to a duel of honor!” Stella’s jaw dropped, and Stefan’s ruby eyes grew wide with shock.

“Me? I-I’m honored to be asked…but Stella would be a far better candidate than I for-” Stefan sputtered, but Xavier ignored him.

“To raise the stakes of our grand duel, you will surrender your bags to me if I am the victor,” he added with a sly smirk. Stella’s eyes narrowed.

“What? What kind of dumb rule-” she began before Stefan put a hand over her mouth.

“Fair enough. But, if I win, you will stop attacking travelers and challenging them to duels, agreed?” Xavier considered Stefan’s terms for a moment before nodding with a smile.

“Agreed. Let the duel commence!” Xavier brandished his wand, the tip burning with an orange flame. Stefan handed his messenger bag to Stella. He didn’t need the extra weight slowing him down. As he moved to face Xavier, Stella grabbed his hand and looked him in the eyes.

“You sure about this, Stefan?” she whispered, concern in her eyes, “I know you don’t like violence.” The minun only nodded wordlessly, giving her a small smile, before turning to face his opponent. With a grin, Xavier flicked his wand and Stefan felt the ground heat up beneath him. He jumped back as a pillar of flame erupted where he was previously standing, but he didn’t get long to rest as another four Fire Pledges burst from the ground. Stefan was sweating from being so close to the fire, but underneath he was calm and not the least worried. I may not be Stella, but I am faster than Xavier. The red glow of the earth is a dead give-away to his Fire Pledge. I can dodge that attack with ease.

Xavier appeared to reach the same conclusion as well as he got on all fours before his body became cloaked in flame. Stefan just managed to get out of the way as the braixen shot at him like a rocket. Flame Charge…that could give me trouble. But, I know something that might help, Stefan thought as Xavier screeched to a stop and turned to face him again.

“Sir Xavier, as gentlemen, can we not both agree that such excessive force in unnecessary?” Stefan asked in a charming voice, his eyes holding a slight pink glow. Some of the aggression disappeared from Xavier’s face as he considered the minun’s words.

“I suppose so…” Xavier said slowly in a bit of a daze. Stefan smiled.

“Surely a distinguished individual such as yourself would not wish to continue in such crass affairs as battling?” he continued serenely. Xavier began to nod…before he froze and shook his head.

“No, the duel must continue! You are trying to use dastardly tricks to confuse me!” Xavier cried out before he launched himself at Stefan in another Flame Charge. Stefan easily dodged, but his brows were furrowed and his mouth was pulled into a thin frown. I had hoped I could use Play Nice to convince him to surrender peacefully…but it seems a different strategy will be required, he thought with annoyance. He was pleased to see that the fire of Xavier’s Flame charge no longer burned as brightly, proof that his move had at least greatly weakened the braixen’s strength.

Xavier ground his teeth together in frustration as he sent another several Fire Pledges Stefan’s way, yet the minun successfully dodged every one. More infuriating, the electric type always remained on the defensive, never once trying to come in closer for a direct attack. Xavier had assumed this minun, clearly untrained in the ways of battle, would be an easy target to destroy…but it seemed that there was more to this blue and cream bunny than meets the eye. The only sure-hit attack Xavier possessed, Shock Wave, would be useless against an electric type!

“You are a craven coward, Sir! Do you not have the courage to face me on equal footing rather than scamper and hide like a lowly rattata?” Xavier growled before charging at Stefan in a swathe of flames. Surprisingly, Stefan smirked as Xavier came closer before side-stepping out of the way, resulting in the posh braixen ramming headfirst into a tree. The fire type moaned in pain as he crumpled to the ground. When Xavier did not move, Stefan came in closer to inspect him.

“I fight smarter, not stronger, Xavier. Let us end this duel here, honorably,” Stefan said as he offered his hand to the bandit. Xavier pushed himself up with his arms before glancing up at Stefan. A devilish fire danced in his eyes, a warning that came too late.

Before Stefan could react, Xavier rammed into the shocked minun like a fiery torpedo, catching him off guard and hitting him right in the stomach at point blank range. The electric type went flying before tumbling several times in the grass and coming to a stop.

“Stefan!” Stella cried out from the sidelines, yet she stayed right where she was despite her instincts telling her to help him. This is his duel, she told herself. He’s tougher than he looks. He can get back up after a hit like that! Stefan slowly pushed himself to his hands and knees, but he didn’t stand up. Instead, he was feeling around on the ground for something in an anxious panic. Stella recognized his terrified expression all too quickly and noticed that the thick glasses normally perched on Stefan’s nose were missing. Oh no…

“Have you misplaced something, good Sir?” Xavier taunted, waving around a pair of glasses in his hand. Stella’s eyes widened. How did he…?

“Magician…” Stefan gasped softly before turning in the direction of Xavier’s voice. “P-Please give me back my glasses! I-I need them! Please!” he begged, voice faltering due to the wave of overwhelming fear gripping him and clouding his mind. The one thing that scared him more than anything was the world around him vanishing into a smudged vista of shadows and color. Memories of the past when bullies would torment him with the same cruel tricks made him freeze up, unable to think straight or move.

“How quickly you lose that calm composure, all because of the absences of cheap metal and glass!” Xavier laughed hysterically. His eyes narrowed and glittered with malice as his laughter ceased. “But, there is no time for mirth! We have a duel that must reach its inevitable conclusion.”  Xavier’s fur ignited into scarlet flames before he charged at the downed minun, unable to see the oncoming danger.

Stella did not resist her sisterly instincts this time when it demanded she help her brother. “Stefan, switch!” she commanded. Stefan’s head perked up at his sister’s shout before a red electric charge built up around his body. Xavier was blinded by a bright flash before a surge of electricity struck and sent him reeling backwards. When the light faded and the world stopped spinning, Xavier looked up to see a plusle in a sapphire head scarf glaring at him, cracking her knuckles as sparks danced from her cheeks.

“You…you cheat! My duel is not with you. Neither of you possess one shred of honor!” Xavier exclaimed as he got to his feet, “You forfeit the duel, and I demand the promised prizes for my-!” The braixen didn’t get much further in his rant as a black gloved fist connected with his face. He shrieked in pain as he was knocked to the floor.

“No one bullies my brother! NO ONE!” Stella shouted, completely livid, as she threw another Mega Punch at the fire type. Xavier had his senses enough about him to scramble out of the way of the plusle’s wild attack. He backed up before meeting Stella’s glare with his own. This would be no duel of honor.

The two mons held nothing back as they fought. Stella tried to hit Xavier with Electroball, but he destroyed the orb of blue lightning before it ever reached him with a geyser of flame. More pillars of flame exploded around Stella as she ducked and dodged, trying to get in closer to Xavier. His many uses of Flame Charge had boosted his speed greatly, making it harder and harder to evade his attacks. When she finally got in close enough to land a Mega Punch, Xavier just smirked at her before coating himself in fire, causing her to recoil back as the flames licked at her hand. Xavier took advantage of this moment of weakness to hit Stella with a Flame Charge.

Stella tumbled only once before skidding herself to a stop, easily shrugging off the hit, and getting back into a battle-ready stance. It’s a good thing Stefan weakened that pompous fluff-butt with Play Nice earlier, Stella thought, but how am I supposed to beat him if none of my attacks are connecting? Strategizing was always Stefan’s thing, but he was out of commission right now. Blue electricity collected in her hands as she formed another Electroball. I guess I’ll have to keep hitting until something gets through! With a determined cry, Stella dropped the crackling orb and kicked it as hard as she could at the fire fox.

As he had every time before, Xavier waved his wand and a geyser of fire burst from the ground to block the projectile. However, much to both Stella and Xavier’s surprise, the Electroball shot right through Fire Pledge before striking the stunned fox right in the chest and exploding in a cloud of smoke and sparks. Stella looked down at her hands in confusion only to see a familiar faint white glow emanating from her. She turned around to see her brother kneeling behind her, the same glow surrounding his hands.

“Stefan…?”

“I c-can’t see you…b-but I can most certainly hear you,” he explained, voice still shaking a little, “and you sounded like you could use…some help. What’s happening?” Stella cast a glance at Xavier who was still picking himself off the ground from the boosted Electroball.

“I can’t hit him. He blocks my long-range moves with his own, and when I try to get in close, he lights himself on fire! He’s running out of steam, I know it. If I could get in one more good punch, he’d be done for.” Stella could see the wheels spinning in her brother’s head as he analyzed the situation. A cunning smile lit up his face as he reached out for her arm and pulled her down to his level, whispering his plan in her ear. Stella nodded, forgetting Stefan couldn’t see it, before getting back to her feet to face Xavier.

The braixen looked exhausted and had a large electric scorch mark on his chest, but that malicious fire still burn in his eyes. His movements a blur, Xavier charged at Stella on all fours, his fangs bared, as he burst into flames. Stella held her ground and a pull back a fist for a Mega Punch. The braixen only smirked as he put on an extra boost of speed. As he came within five feet of the plusle, she grinned as a bluish-white energy appeared around her fist before solidifying into a thick sheet of ice. Hearing a loud clap and feeling the boost from Stefan’s Helping Hand, Stella threw all her weight into her punch. The layer of ice protected her hand from the flames as she hit Xavier right between the eyes.

His high-pitched squeal of pain as he was sent flying into a tree was the most satisfying sound Stella had heard all day. This time the braixen did not get up.  Letting out a deep breath she had not realized she was holding, Stella relaxed her stance. She searched with her eyes in the grass for Stefan’s glasses which Xavier had thrown aside during their battle before smiling as she located them. Miraculously, the spectacles had survived without a scratch. She quickly returned to her brother’s side before placing his glasses back on his nose. He squinted and blinked several times as he waited for his vision to readjust before locking gazes with Stella and returning her smile.

“Thank you.”

“Hey, I’ve got your back, remember? No matter what,” she replied, clapping him on the shoulder before helping him up. Stefan’s gaze flickered from her face to the trees behind her. His eyes widened as he pointed over her shoulder.

“Xavier’s gone!” Stella turned on her heel before letting out an irritated growl at seeing the braixen had indeed fled.

“And he called you a coward,” she muttered in disgust, “Good riddance!” Stefan slowly nodded…before his eyes caught sight of something very important…or rather lack of something very important.

“Stella…where is your bag?” he asked urgently, pointing to her belt. Stella looked down to realize that one of the two pouches was missing…and it was the one that held all their money. Stella cursed under her breath, ignoring the disapproving look Stefan gave her.

“That Xavier’s not a braixen; he’s an ekans! He must have snatched it while we were fighting!” She was about to dart into the forest to chase after the bandit, but Stefan grabbed her arm, causing her to give him a half confused, half irritated look.

“We have no idea which way Xavier went, and it will do us no good if you go getting lost again. He’s likely far away by now,” Stefan sighed. Stella grit her teeth, not wanting to admit defeat so easily, but she couldn’t deny that Stefan was right. Her ears drooped as she realized that they were now broke because she had let Xavier get the best of her.

“So now wh-” Stella’s question was cut off by a familiar very-ungentlemanly shriek coming from the trees.

“Please…no! Not you! Get away from-!” A loud impact cut off the voice and the bushes rustled as Xavier came flying out before crashing into the dirt in front of the two electric types. The dazed look on the posh bandit’s face told that he was out cold. The siblings’ gazes were drawn away from the braixen back to the bushes as they rustled again before a riolu in a midnight blue mask and dark cloak emerged. There was a long silence as the siblings and the stranger stared at each other.

“IT’S YOU!” Stefan and Stella shouted simultaneously. The riolu took a step back, clearly startled by such a reaction, as the two electric types looked at each other with confusion.

“Wait, you’ve met him before?” Stefan asked.

“Not really. I saw him sparring with Marble at the Trackers training grounds,” Stella replied, “Have you?”

“Not formally. I ran into him at the Scholars lab. He was helping the same researcher I ended up helping,” Stefan explained. Both turned back to the riolu who seemed quite uncomfortable in this situation based on how stiffly he was standing.

“So…have you been stalking us?” Stella asked, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the enigmatic fighting type. The riolu said nothing before reaching into his cloak and throwing something at Stella. She managed to catch it out of reflex and opened her mouth to demand what the big idea was before she realized the object was the very bag she had lost.

“Is that yours?” the riolu spoke at last. Stella just nodded numbly. “I heard sounds of battle. Upon following, I ran into him,” he pointed to the battered fox at their feet, “carrying that pouch. Only the guilty run like that…so I surmised that the bag was stolen.”

“Thank you…” Stella managed after finding her voice again.

“Who are you?” Stefan queried, “We were never properly introduced. I am Stefan, and this is my younger sister, Stella. We’re part of the guilds.”

“Team Electrophilic!” Stella chimed in. The riolu studied them for a moment, as though internally debating whether to trust them or not.

“My name is Marth,” he said lowly before placing his paw on the hilt of the sword strapped to his side, “and this is Falchion. We have also sought membership with the guilds.” Stefan frowned slightly in response to the riolu’s words. Marth…where have I heard that name before?

“So what’s your team called?” Stella immediately followed up. The riolu once again was thrown off guard by her question.

“Excuse me?” Stella sighed impatiently.

“What do you call yourselves? Your team name!” Marth pondered this question a moment before replying.

“Emblem’s Flame.” Stella grinned excitedly, deciding that both the team name and the team members were the coolest ever, but before she could ask another question, Stefan took over.

“Come along, Stella. We’ll need to get Xavier back to Tabira. You said he was wanted by the Trackers, correct?” Stella nodded and reached down to hoist the unconscious braixen up. However, she was surprised when Marth knelt down and bound Xavier’s hands before easily throwing his limp form over his shoulder.

“I fought with this outlaw earlier this morning. If I had properly dealt with him then, he would not have attacked either of you,” Marth explained, “Allow me to help you bring him in as apology for my negligence.” Stella looked back at her brother who just shrugged before turning back to Marth.

“Sure! I’d be happy for any company besides my boring nerd of a brother on the trip back.” Stefan just rolled his eyes before pulling out a map from his bag and navigating the way back to Tabira.